
Gliders are mostly active at night and typically forage in an area that spans several acres. The two leading males assume various responsibilities, including scent marking colony members and territory as well as helping care for offspring. The colonies usually feature two dominant males that share authority and subdue other males in the group. Sugar gliders are animals that live in small groups, called colonies, composed of up to a dozen individuals. Selective breeding in captivity and genetic mutations in the wild have also produced white and cream-colored gliders.Īnom Harya/ Sugar Glider Behavior Their short, soft coat typically appears primarily grey with black stripes and a white belly. They are one of the few mammals that have an opposable digit, like the human thumb, that helps them keep their grip. Adults are generally 6 to 8 inches in length and weigh between 4 and 6 ounces. Sugar gliders are often called flying squirrels due to their comparable body structure, size, and prominent tail. Other subspecies that are found in New Guinea and surrounding islands are P. The subspecies native to Australia are P. There are currently seven recognized subspecies of sugar gliders found in different regions throughout Australia and the Indonesian islands. This species is part of the Petauridae family in the Mammalia class. There are also several other names for these animals given by local native peoples, including aymows, kajben and yegang. This name is translated as “short-headed springboard” in reference to their remarkable ability to leap and glide long distances. In scientific communities, sugar gliders are known by the name Petaurus breviceps. You can check out more incredible facts about sugar gliders.

Adults usually have grey-brown fur that is broken up by dark stripes and a white underbelly.Their colonies are typically run by two males who share authority and various responsibilities related to the group dynamic.Thin membranes attached to their wrists and ankles allow these mammals to glide for over 100 feet without touching the ground.Baby sugar gliders are called “joeys” like their much larger kangaroo cousins.Despite restrictions in some countries, they are also a popular choice as exotic household pets. Despite their name and a hardy appetite for sweet foods, sugar gliders are actually omnivorous animals and consume a diverse diet that typically fluctuates throughout the year. However, their classification as marsupials means they are actually more similar to kangaroos, koalas, and possums.


They have comparable size and appearance to North American squirrel species. Sugar gliders are tiny nocturnal animals that are native to forested and wooded regions in Australia and New Guinea. “A small, gliding possum with a big sweet tooth.”
